Student Support

Software Support

Spatial Sciences Institute students have a wide variety of proprietary software and open source GIS applications available to them. These GIS and remote sensing software and technologies are described in detail here.

Library Resources

The contact for USC Libraries for Spatial Sciences Institute students is Sherry Mosley, Associate University Librarian and Head, VKC Library, smosley@usc.edu; (213) 740-8810.

Travel Support

We encourage students to present their work at conferences to build their professional profile. GIST online students do not pay the USC Student Programming Fee and therefore are not eligible to apply for the USC Graduate Student Government (GSG) Travel Grant program, which is funded in part by the programming fee. Students enrolled in other USC residential programs who are taking GIST online courses may pay this fee and therefore may be eligible to apply for funding from this source. See https://www.uscgsg.com/travelgrants/login.asp for more information.

Spatial Sciences Institute Los Angeles Geospatial Summit

We encourage Spatial Sciences Institute graduate and undergraduate students to attend and participate in the Institute’s annual one-day conference, the Los Angeles Geospatial Summit, typically held in late February. The Geospatial Summit provides the opportunity for students to hear how various industries are utlizing GIScience and technologies, get career advice, learn about specific job opportunities, and network with industry professionals, alumni and faculty, and students and faculty from other Southern California area GIS-related academic programs.

Resume Book

Each year the Spatial Sciences Institute produces a book containing the resumes of current masters and graduate certificate students. The USC Spatial Sciences Institute Resume Book introduces the qualities and capabilities of student body to the related spatial sciences industries, and is just one of many ways in which the Spatial Sciences Institute supports the professional development of Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) and Spatial Informatics (SPIF) students.

Networking and Career Development

We encourage students to take advantage of numerous networking and career development opportunities and resources, including USC Career Center seminars on resume preparation, interviewing techniques, internship searches, and job search resources.

We provide all USC Spatial students in good standing with a USC student business card with our compliments. Please email Stephanie Tran to request your business card print order.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of travel support to attend important conferences and workshops, such as the CalGIS Conference in the spring (or the equivalent conference in other states or regions), the Esri International Developer Summit in Palm Springs in March each year, and the Esri International User Conference in San Diego in July each year. The Spatial Sciences Institute hosts a booth and a networking reception at the Esri International User Conference, and cordially invites alumni and students to come by both venues.

The Institute also hosts an annual Los Angeles Geospatial Summit with industry and other academic partners, presented with the aim of facilitating professional connections and the exchange of ideas within the regional geospatial community.

Internships

Students receive notices of companies and organizations offering paid and unpaid internships throughout the year. Many students have found internships as an important way to transition into the geospatial professional world.

Esri Development Center Student of the Year Competition

As one of the leading university entities recognized by Esri as an Esri Development Center (EDC), the Spatial Sciences Institute organizes the USC EDC Student of the Year competition, which recognizes exemplary contributions to the development of novel GIS-based tools, techniques, or models.